All Forum Posts by: Eric Wang

I agree with Ryan. I seen people tear down the whole house and just kept one wall for tax purposes. These were in highly desirable area in good neighborhoods and good school system.

Try to find used Whirlpool washer and dryer. Whirlpool seem to last the longest according to my local repairman. Two years ago I inherited an old whirlpool washer & dryer which wasn't working. I was going to buy new ones until the repair man said Whirlpool can last long time, sometime you only need to change a part and your good. Paid $400 to replace 2 lock box, service key and new washer pump. Both machine still running strong. He doesn't think energy efficient washer are any efficient and are pain to work on if it breaks down.

Landlord make it sound bad because they had bad experience which was mostly their own fault. They fail to keep the "business mentally." It's a business, treat it like a business. They let emotion get in the way, which gets them in trouble.

Water the area, do it a few times if you have too. I do this when I'm installing irrigation. It helps soften the ground and keep the dust to a minimal.

Base on his rental history, I would find someone else. Most likely you will have to find a new tenant less than a year, unless you don't mind. I would examine the credit report to confirm if the identity theft story is true. Tenants can make up a lot of stories.

It's a question that you can only answer. Everyone has different screen qualifier. What does your screen qualifier say? Do you even have one? If he doesn't meet your qualifier, then NO. In my state it's require, I have to give one when I give an application. You need to write down what you require from your tenant, income 3x the rent, no eviction, only 2 late payment, etc...
This guy would not qualify under my screen qualifier, but will qualify under someone else.

Carolyn,

It sounds like you rather have the equity. Spending 1K to fix it up is not much, painting and landscape will make a big difference. By listing on MLS, you will get a lot more traffic. In a buyers market, I would list with an agent.

Rob,

What I have seen is, the seller will lower the final purchase price by 3%. Seller will have no problem with it because it's the seller who pays the commission anyways. Seller is the decision maker, agent is just a middle person.

This is one thing that really bugs me. Complain to the HOA! I was going to recommend getting a product called "Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler," you can find it on Amazon. When pets step on the grass, the sprinkler is turn on.
Since you live down the hill, it wouldn't workout.